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To read this newsletter in other languages, please visit our website.
Para leer este boletín en otros idiomas, visite nuestro sitio web.
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School Hours: 9:15 am - 4:00 pm, Monday - Friday
School building opens for students at 9:00 am
Office: 703-988-8900
Attendance: 703-988-8989
April 12, 2024
IN THIS ISSUE
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SOL Spring Schedule
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The Positivity Project at Virginia Run Elementary
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Parent Input Form for 2024-25 Class Placement
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Kindergarten and New Student Registration
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Recognize Our VRES Staff Who Go Above and Beyond
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Viking Shoppe’s Last Day-April 25th
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PTA Meeting, April 16
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Purple Up! on April 17
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Westfield High School Pyramid Art Show
- Advanced Academic Program (AAP) Information
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Virginia Run ES 9th Annual Viking Dash
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FCPS Earth Week
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Walk, Bike & Roll to School Day!
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Yearbooks are on Sale!
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2024 Summer P.E. Sports Camp
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Updated COVID-19 Guidance
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Box Tops for Education
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School Lunch Menu Options
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Chronic Absenteeism - State Board SOA Decision
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Important Upcoming Dates
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Frequently Visited Links and Important Virginia Run Contacts
1. SOL Spring Schedule
Please see below for the Virginia spring SOL (Standards of Learning) schedule. A passing score is anything between 400-600. Any student who does not pass the SOL and scores in the range of 375-399 will have the opportunity to retake the Math, Reading, and Science SOL. Retakes will be held from May 28th to 31st. If you do not want your child to retake an SOL, please reach out to your teacher via email to let them know.
3rd Grade:
- Reading SOL May 1st
- Math SOL May 16th
4th Grade:
- Reading SOL May 1st
- Math SOL May 16th
5th Grade:
- Integrated Reading Writing SOL April 18th
- Reading SOL May 2nd
- Math SOL May 15th
- Science SOL May 22nd
6th Grade:
- Reading SOL May 2nd
- Math SOL May 15th
Staff and 6th grade students take on Cub Run in volleyball!
2. The Positivity Project
April 15 - 19
 This week our school community will be focusing on the character strength of Purpose. Purpose means you have beliefs about the meaning of life and your life’s purpose. You seek to be part of something greater than yourself.
Purpose gives individuals the sense that they are put on this earth for a reason and that they are somehow connected with humanity or the universe. People who possess a sense of purpose believe that they were put on earth for a reason. That reason can have all kinds of variety. It could be to create a unique invention, bring joy through art or music, or raise their children to become good people. These people have a true calling.
Having a clear sense of purpose in life and believing that you’re connected to a larger meaning gives individuals strength. It allows them to persevere and find courage in trying circumstances or lead with kindness and love even when it’s not reciprocated. Those with a sense of purpose have more meaning in their life -- and are more fulfilled.
To practice and encourage the character strength of purpose with your child, please visit the Positivity Project’s P2 for Families (password: P2), where together you will watch a video, read a quote, and talk about the answers to three questions.
3. Parent Input Form for 2024-25 Class Placement
With the end of the year quickly approaching, we are already looking ahead to next school year. While we look at class placements for the coming year, we want you to be aware of the process. We place students in classrooms based on numerous criteria. Students are grouped so that classrooms are heterogeneous, having a balance of boys and girls, a balance of academic performance and ability, and groups that will allow for the greatest support from our resource teachers.
Classroom teachers will have input into the recommendations for next year, as will our counselors and specialists. Our staff has been told that we will not take requests for particular teachers because we base our placement on instructional criteria and individual student strengths and needs. It is unfair to give special consideration to some parents when it would be impossible to grant requests from all parents. Please be aware also that grade level assignments for staff sometimes change, due to late enrollments or other changes. Staff assignments are determined at the end of the summer. Our staff has been directed not to give out information about placement prior to that time to avoid disappointing parents and students when changes are made.
In addition, we also value parent input. If you feel there is pertinent information to support your child’s success for the upcoming school year, you may submit your input by clicking on this Parent Input Google Form. The parent input forms are due by May 17, 2024. We value and consider your insight into your child’s learning needs. Taken together with teacher input, your feedback informs class placements.
4. Kindergarten and New Student Registration
Calling All New Vikings!
Virginia law requires that all children who will be 5 years old on or before September 30, 2024, must be enrolled in kindergarten for the 2024-2025 school year. If you do not wish your child to attend school until the following year, you must notify the school in writing.
If you have a child who will attend Virginia Run Elementary next year, please contact Betty Bancroft to register. This will allow accurate numbers for staffing and classes next year!
Register your child by:
For more information on registration requirements please visit https://www.fcps.edu/registration/kindergarten-registration
General kindergarten information can be found at https://www.fcps.edu/academics/elementary-school-academics-k-6/kindergarten
Please spread the word to your neighbors who will have children attending Virginia Run ES.
5. Recognize Our VRES Staff Who Go Above and Beyond
The FCPS CARES Program is an opportunity for parents, staff, and community members to recognize FCPS employees for going above and beyond to help others and show they care. We invite you to submit your story, so we can all acknowledge the good work of FCPS employees, specifically at Virginia Run!
submit your story
6. Viking Shoppe’s Last Day-April 25th
The Viking Shoppe will close for the year on April 25th. We will be open every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday except April 18th. Come on down and get your last items before it closes! There are still Jibbitz and plenty of pencils, notepads, erasers and pencil sharpeners!
Our Virginia Run Cheerleaders cheer on our staff and 6th grade students at the volleyball game last Friday night!
7. PTA Meeting in the Virginia Run Library, 4/16 from 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm
VJ Rao, the Director of Cybersecurity for FCPS, will be presenting at our upcoming PTA meeting on April 16th. This presentation will focus on cybersecurity and ways parents can protect their children at home. It promises to be an informative session that can benefit our school community greatly.
8. Purple Up! on April 17
To show our support for military-connected youth, we are inviting all Fairfax County students, families, school employees, and community members to “Purple Up!” on April 17. Why purple? Purple symbolizes all branches of the military as a combination of Army green, Marine Corps red, and Coast Guard, Navy, Air Force and Space Force blue.
We extend our appreciation for the service of all children from military families and celebrate them by wearing purple in an effort to say “Thank You!” Whether or not you know any military-connected youth, please take a moment to recognize and honor them by wearing purple on April 17.
Post your picture and tag #PurpleUpFCPS!. Let’s Purple Up! for military kids!
9. WHS Annual Pyramid Art Show
Families are invited to attend the annual Westfield High School Pyramid Art Show on April 18 from 6:30 pm - 8:00 pm in the Westfield High School Gym!
25 Virginia Run students will have their artwork displayed at this special event. Come and view artwork from neighboring schools while supporting our Viking artists!
The show will also be available for viewing on Thursday, April 18 from 8:10 - 2:55 pm and Friday, April 19 from 8:10 - 12:20 pm in the Westfield High School Gym.
10. Advanced Academic Program (AAP) Information
Please view the AAP Spring Newsletter.
AAP Spring Newsletter - Spanish Translation
The newsletter contains information about school based screening and an overview of school based services at Virginia Run ES.
Virginia Run will continue to provide Level IV Advanced Academic Services in the 2024-2025 academic school year.
The Level IV orientation for rising 3rd, 4th, 5th grade students who are newly county eligible to receive Level IV services will be Thursday, April 25th from 6:30pm-7:30pm in the VRES Library. Additional information about the orientation will be provided to families of students found eligible.
Please contact the Advanced Academic Resource Teacher, Brittany Wade with any questions at bwade@fcps.edu.
11. Virginia Run ES 9th Annual Viking Dash
Don’t miss this exciting event!
Friday April 26th, 2024
6:00 - 7:30 pm, arrive by 5:45
Packet pick-up times:
- Thursday, April 25th, 5:00 - 6:00 pm
- Friday, April 26th, 5:30 - 6:00 pm
**Late viking dash registration is open until April 17th, but there is no guarantee for a t-shirt.
Viking Dash participants can walk, run or dance through the neighborhood streets on our 1.7-mile course – with shortcuts available!
Challenge yourself with a variety of (optional) fun obstacles concluding with a large inflatable obstacle slide.
Then enjoy our finish line party where participants will get a large slice of pizza, fresh fruit and a yummy frozen treat. Show your spirit by wearing your Viking Dash shirt and kick your heels up with our live DJ!
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All Viking Dash registrants receive:
⮚ Participation in all Viking Dash activities including
- The Obstacle Course
- The Inflatable Obstacle Slide
- The Finish Line Party
⮚ Viking Dash T-Shirt
⮚ Fresh fruit and slice of pizza
⮚ Yummy frozen treat
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Parents are strongly encouraged to participate in this school community event along with their children. Wheelchairs and strollers are welcome. It’s a great way to spend a Friday night with your family!
This is a rain or shine event. If necessary, we will move inside the school building.
To register online, volunteer to help with this event or for Frequently Asked Questions, visit https://vrespta.ptboard.com/.
The Viking Dash is a PTA sponsored event. All proceeds will benefit the Virginia Run PTA so that they may offer after school activities, field trip support, in-school educational events, teacher mini-grants, professional development, stipends and technology support.
12. FCPS Earth Week
 It’s been feeling like spring recently, so it’s time to start thinking about FCPS Earth Week! Get2Green is hosting FCPS Earth Week April 22 - 26, 2024. The themes for Earth Week are:
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Monday, April 22 - wear green for Earth Day
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Tuesday, April 23 - wear blue for Watershed Day
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Wednesday, April 24 - wear white for Zero Waste Day
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Thursday, April 25 - wear red for Climate Change Day
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Friday, April 26 - wear a nature print for Wildlife Day
Engage students with FCPS Earth Week BINGO boards for elementary and a Day of Service for secondary for the chance to win prizes. Check the Get2Green Earth Week webpage for everything you need to get started.
Looking for more fun Earth Week activities? Join the Fairfax County Park Authority’s Earth Day Fairfax event on Saturday, April 20 from 10am-4pm at Sully Historic Site to kick off your Earth Week. Celebrate the end of Earth Week by joining the Mount Vernon Environment Expo at Fort Hunt Park on Saturday, April 27 from 11 am - 3 pm.
 13. Walk, Bike & Roll to School Day!
Join us on Wednesday, May 8, 2024 to celebrate Walk, Bike & Roll to School Day! Walk, Bike & Roll to school day is a great way for students to get more physical activity before school and reach their goal of 60 minutes of daily physical activity.
Bike & Roll to School Day Flyer-English
Bike & Roll to School Day Flyer - Spanish
14. Yearbooks are on Sale!
Pre-order your 2023-2024 Virginia Run Elementary School Yearbook now to guarantee a copy when yearbooks are distributed in June. Paper flyers were sent home in the Wednesday folder with standard pricing. Any questions, please contact Kelly Long kalong928@yahoo.com.
https://ybpay.lifetouch.com/Order/SelectJob
School code 5662224
15. 2024 Summer P.E. Sports Camp
Our 2024 Summer P.E. Sports Camp is Monday, June 24, 2024 - Thursday, June 27, 2024. This 4-day camp at Virginia Run ES will offer a variety of different sports and activities for students in all grades. This camp is open to all VRES students in grades K - 6.
Contact VRES P.E. Instructor, Scott Rosenfeld, if you have any questions: ssrosenfeld@fcps.edu
Cost: $120 per participant
Register and Pay Online:
https://vrespta.ptboard.com/formvw/form?store=4128&form=20
REGISTRATION IS DUE BY MAY 24TH!
Registration Questions? Contact Kimberly Wilson: kkohlenbush@gmail.com
P.E. Summer Camp 2024 Flyer
16. Updated COVID-19 Guidance
Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) and the Fairfax County Health Department (FCHD) have updated school COVID-19 recommendations in accordance with the new Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) respiratory virus guidance.
The COVID-19 isolation period of 5 days is no longer recommended.
The new respiratory virus guidance applies to respiratory viral illnesses, to include COVID-19, influenza, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).
Students who have symptoms of, tested positive for, or have been diagnosed with, a respiratory virus e.g., COVID-19, influenza, RSV may return to school when:
§ Student is fever-free for 24 hours without fever reducing medication; AND
§ Student’s symptoms have improved or resolved
§ Students should follow additional precautions as outlined per the CDC upon resumption of normal activities
The following school operations will continue:
§ COVID Absence Reporting in SIS
§ COVID student cases will be notated via the Student Information System (SIS) as an excused absence using the MED: Medical attendance code.
§ COVID-19 Outbreak Reporting
§ When there are three (3) or more reported cases of COVID-19 in an identified group of students and/or school-based staff (e.g., class, team, club) within 14 days, the administrator will complete the FCHD Outbreak REDCap.
§ COVID-19 at-home test kits are available for students.
§ Schools will direct parents and families of a positive student case to the Health and Safety Guidance Document.
17. Box Tops for Education
 Box Tops is a fast and easy way to support VRES! Our goal is to earn $1,000 through the Box Tops app this year!
Here’s how you can help us reach our goal:
18. School Lunch Menu Options
FCPS' Food and Nutrition Services team has been rolling out improvements to the menu that better reflect the diversity of our student body and focus on fresh, healthy food. Learn about FCPS’ new menu options.
See what is for breakfast and lunch at Virginia Run ES.
19. Chronic Absenteeism - State Board SOA Decision
Chronic Absenteeism - State Board SOA Decision
Last school year, the Virginia Board of Education decided to not suspend chronic absenteeism as part of school accreditation determinations. The Board’s rationale was a desire to send a strong message to schools, families, and students about the importance of regular attendance for student success. The Board decision means that schools with Level 3 (red) in any indicator—including chronic absenteeism—based on end-of-year data will receive “Accredited with Conditions” designation.
Chronic Absenteeism is defined as missing 10% or more of the school year, regardless of reason. A student is determined to be chronically absent if the rate of their days absent divided by their total days in membership is greater than or equal to 10%.
As of April 5th, Virginia Run is ranked 2.3% away from our chronic absenteeism rate being in the yellow with a school percentage of 12.7%. As we finish out the remainder of this school year, we will continue to update this percentage with you in hopes that we can join our Westfield pyramid schools for having an acceptable chronic absenteeism rate of 10% or lower. One of our Virginia Run School Innovation and Improvement Plan goals is to reduce Tier 2 & Tier 3 level chronic absenteeism from 16% (last year) to 10% or less in 2023-24.
REQUEST FOR PRE ARRANGED ABSENCE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
FCPS Excused absences include the following reasons: illness, injury, funeral, legal obligations, medical procedures, religious observances, deployment-related absences, or family emergency.
If the reason for this prearranged absence is different from the above, please indicate the reason for the absence. Parents must plan to arrange for their child to complete make-up work, tests, or projects. If the student's planned absences exceed five school days, a parent conference may be required. The conference will include a review of the student's academic and absence record. Students who are absent 15 or more consecutive school days will be withdrawn from enrollment.
Virginia Run Elementary School is committed to providing our students with a high quality education. Academic success relies upon excellent school attendance. Children who come to school on time every day are building critical life skills they will use throughout the rest of their lives. Like strengthening a muscle, building positive attendance habits early on make a difference for our children today and for our adults of tomorrow. Attending school regularly helps children feel better about school and themselves. Virginia Run is teaming up with the other 9 schools in the Westfield Pyramid in an effort to make sure all of our students are in school, on time, each day.
Did you know?
- Regular school attendance in grades preschool through grade 6 makes it more likely that your child will read on grade level.
- The 2024-25 school year calendar has been published and we highly recommend scheduling vacations around the school year calendar. We have pasted the link below for your convenience:
https://www.fcps.edu/sites/default/files/media/pdf/2024-2025-standard-school-year-calendar.pdf
- Even excused absences interfere with learning.
- A pattern of absences (whether unexcused or excused) is one of the main reasons children have lower academic achievement.
- Students who attend 90% or more of the school year are more likely to graduate from high school on time.
- Absences can mask deeper struggles. For example; absences may be a sign that a student is losing interest in school, he or she may be struggling with school work or peer relationships, or possibly facing a medical or mental health concern.
Support is available:
All staff members at Virginia Run ES are committed to supporting attendance. Additional resources can be found online at http://www.fcps.edu/attendance. We know that parents are the experts on their own child and our school team is here to partner and help solve attendance-related concerns. The school counselor, school social worker, psychologist, and family liaison are available:
Jenna DeKeuster, school counselor jldekeuster@fcps.edu
Rachel Wyllie, school counselor rlwyllie@fcps.edu
Stephanie Whittaker, social worker swwhittaker@fcps.edu
Jini Kapur, psychologist jkapur@fcps.edu
Carolina Chavez, Family Liaison cchavez@fcps.edu
20. Important Upcoming Dates
4/16 PTA Meeting at the Virginia Run Library, 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm
4/17: Purple Up!
4/18: Westfield Pyramid Art Show - Westfield H.S.
4/22: FCPS Religious & Cultural Observance-First evening of Passover at Sundown
4/23: FCPS Religious & Cultural Observance-Second evening of Passover
4/24: FCPS Religious & Cultural Observance-Theravada New Year
4/25: Packet Pick-up for Viking Dash, 5:00 - 6:00 pm
4/26: Viking Dash, 6:00 pm - 7:30 pm; Packet Pick-up, 5:00 - 5:45 pm
5/3: Student Holiday
5/8: Walk, Bike & Roll to School Day
5/9: Science Quest, 6:00 pm - 7:30 pm
5/14: PTA Meeting at the Virginia Run Library, 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm
5/23: Spring Chorus Concert, 7:00 pm
5/27: Student Holiday
6/5: Art Walk, Virginia Run, 5:00 pm - 6:30 pm
6/5: Band Concert, 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm
6/6: Strings Concert, 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm
6/7: Field Day, Grades K-2 & 6
6/10: Field Day, Grades 3-6
6/11: 6th Grade Celebration
6/12: 6th Grade Promotion, 9:30 am
6/12: Last Day of School - 2hr Early Release
21. Frequently Visited Links and Important Virginia Run Contacts
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